There’s been some confusion over the release date for Fair Coin, but after today, that shouldn’t be a problem. See, March 27 was the tentative publication day, but just like the Pirate Code, a release date is often more of a guideline than an actual rule. The official release date was March 6, and books appeared even before then; what can I say, the book has been waiting to be published for a long time, and you can’t blame it for a little impatience right at the end. Ah, reckless youth.

In any case, not every site and bookseller updated the release date when it changed, so you’ll likely see some folks celebrating Fair Coin‘s birthday today and in the coming weeks. To that, I say, “Huzzah!” Who doesn’t like celebrating a birthday more than once? Especially if that means more cake. I’m happy that people are enthusiastic enough about Fair Coin to celebrate it on the internet, and I hope more readers, stores, and libraries will pick it up since it is now, finally, officially, out.

In the fine tradition of Hobbit birthdays, I decided to get you all a little something to celebrate this most excellent non-occasion. We’ve been working on something special, and I hope you like it.

Since Fair Coin involves a coin that grants wishes when you flip it, a lot of readers have been wondering what I would wish for if I had such a thing, or asking themselves that very question. I’m curious about that too. I was introduced to the concept of Japanese wishing trees in an episode of the anime series Kimagure Orange Road years ago and have been fascinated with the idea ever since.

Here’s how they work. The Japanese Star Festival (Tanabata) celebrates the one day each year, on the seventh day of the seventh month (ie. July 7), in which two star-crossed lovers are actually able to cross: the Cowherd Star (Altair) and Weaver Star (Vega) meet–the separated lovers reunited. Part of the festival involves writing your wish on a slip of paper and tying it to the branch of a bamboo tree, in the hopes that it will come true.

There are lots of variations on this idea. For instance, a Scottish wish tree involves hammering coins into a tree–granting one wish per coin. As I thought about how to celebrate the publication of Fair Coin, one of my wishes come true, it seemed natural to try to develop a similar tradition for the modern age. We all know the internet has power, so who says that it can’t grant wishes? I believe that sometimes just putting your desires out there for the universe to see can help them come true.

So I’ve put together a new Tumblr site called Wishing on a Fair Coin, where you can share your wishes–anonymously if you choose, along the lines of community art blogs like PostSecret. You can upload your own images or allow me to find something appropriate to complement your wish.

I have no idea if this will take off, but my wish is that you’ll drop by, wish for something, and help spread the word wherever you can.